Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver announced that they will separate after 25-years together, calling this "a time of great personal and professional transition for each of us." Arnold, the Austrian bodybuilder, turned Hollywood actor, turned US republican politician was consider by many to be an odd match from the start for Shriver, a Kennedy family democrat and TV news journalist. So far, neither is giving reasons or talking about what happens next.

Maria Shriver's uncle, John Kennedy was a U.S. president. Arnold Schwarzenegger's father was an Austrian policeman.

The breakup comes about four months after Schwarzenegger, 63 ended his two-term run as California governor, a job that Shriver never wanted for him.

In a statement, Shriver, 55, commented "After a great deal of thought, reflection, discussion, and prayer, we came to this decision together."

It was unclear if either remained at their gated, canyon estate in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Brentwood, or whom the children were with. Schwarzenegger's spokesman, Daniel Ketchell, said he wouldn't answer questions beyond what was said in Monday's statement.

About a month before the anniversary, Shriver wrote on her Facebook page that she was going through a transition in her life. "As you know, transitions are not easy. I'd love to get your advice on how you've handled transitions in your own life," she said in a video posted on YouTube.

"It's so stressful to not know what you're doing next. People ask you what are you doing and then they can't believe that you don't know what you're doing," she said.

Schwarzenegger has discussed publicly that Shriver initially was very upset about his plan to run for governor. But when Schwarzenegger announced his decision on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" in August 2003, he said his wife stood by his decision.

In a May 2009 commencement speech at the University of Southern California, Schwarzenegger alluded to the powerful influence Shriver had on his life. He said when people ask him the secret to success, "I say, number one, come to America. Number two, work your butt off. And number three, marry a Kennedy."

Arnold Schwarzenegger Now Admits Fathering a Child With a Household Staff Member 10 Years Ago

Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has acknowledged that he fathered a child with a member of his household staff. This admission prompted wife Maria Shriver to leave the couple's home last week.

Shriver moved out of the family's Brentwood mansion earlier in the year after Schwarzenegger acknowledged the child is his, The Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday.

"After leaving the governor's office I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago," Schwarzenegger told the Times in a statement that also was sent to The Associated Press early Tuesday. "I understand and deserve the feelings of anger and disappointment among my friends and family. There are no excuses and I take full responsibility for the hurt I have caused. I have apologized to Maria, my children and my family. I am truly sorry.

"I ask that the media respect my wife and children through this extremely difficult time," the statement concluded. "While I deserve your attention and criticism, my family does not."

Schwarzenegger's representatives did not comment further. A spokesman for Shriver told the Times she had no comment.

The Times did not publish the former staffer's name nor that of her child but said the woman worked for the family for 20 years and retired in January.

In an interview Monday before Schwarzenegger issued his statement, the former staffer said another man – her husband at the time – was the child's father. When the Times later informed the woman of the governor's statement, she declined to comment further.

The child was born before Schwarzenegger began his seven-year stint in public office.

Shriver stood by her husband during his 2003 gubernatorial campaign after the Los Angeles Times reported accusations that he had a history of groping women. Schwarzenegger later said he "behaved badly sometimes."

In his first public comments since the couple announced their breakup, Schwarzenegger said last week that he and Shriver "both love each other very much."

"We are very fortunate that we have four extraordinary children and we're taking one day at a time," he said at a Los Angeles event marking Israeli independence. Their children range in age from 13 to 21.

Since his term as California governor ended in early January, Schwarzenegger, 63, has traveled the world alone.

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